What Motivates a Customer to Buy?

For more tips, please visit, http://www.bbb.org/us/.

Good Business Practices – Lower Your Risk Level

When small businesses fail, it is often because they don’t have enough money to operate or grow. Lenders and investors are eager to work with responsible business owners that provide a minimal risk to them financially. They often will require personal information about you and those connected to your business. While reviewing your provided information they will be looking for competence in your industry and also how much they will be able to trust you.

Ideally you will want your application to show than you are a low risk candidate, and this is best achieved by making sure your application is truthful, accurate and complete.

Plan ahead. Make sure your personal life, your credit history, business plan and operations are in order just in case. With these proper preparations and by building relationships with local banks and loan officers, you will have a much better chance securing your funding when the time arises.

How have you prepared for you future?

Good Business Practices - Talk with the Experts

Whether your business is struggling to build its reputation or you are just trying to get a leg up on the competition, there are many informational avenues that you can pursue for advice.  Seeking a professional in your business community might be the quickest and easiest way to learn about local licensing and laws, business plans and selling/marketing, but if you prefer a more structured set of answers then business associations and industry groups are for you.

These expert advisors provided through the resources below will provide assistance and networking opportunities that many small business owners are looking for. Be sure to contact your local offices.

-U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

-Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)

-Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)

-Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

-U.S. Department of Commerce

What kind of advice are you looking for?

iOS 7 Quick Tips

Apple unveiled their newest operating system on Tuesday, and already it has been adopted on more the 30% of their consumers. With the mad rush of downloads that followed the release, many users experienced some forms of frustration ranging from crashes and download times to the inability to clear the required space due to their favorite photos. With so many changes drastic and subtle changes from the previous iOS it can be hard to recognize the truly great ones.

Here is a list of some of the new and improved changes.

The compass stills exists with a nice new look, but Apple added a handy new

feature. Once the compass is open, all you have to do is swipe the screen to the left and you now have a level. Laying your Apple device back down on a surface shows the angle and putting it on its side acts similarly to a contracting level.

A new search feature was developed allowing users to search through texts,

emails, apps, songs and contacts in one easy place. All you have to do is swipe down on the main screen.

If constantly needing to update your apps bothers you the wait is over. By going to Settings > iTunes & App Store you can switch updates to automatic.

One of the most convenient new features is the control panel. By swiping the screen up from the bottom the control panel will appear. From this interface you can control screen brightness, WiFi connections, song choice, flashlight, camera and more.

iOS tracks your browsing history when using the internet. This makes it easier for companies to develop ads aimed towards you. This can be switched off by going to Settings > Privacy > Advertising and flipping the Limit Ad Tracking to green.

And last but not least with the change in font the whole iOS has a brand new look, but for some people it might make the text harder to read. Going to Settings > General > Text Size you can drag the slider at the bottom to increase the size of the text.

Sources and Related Articles:

Whats New

19 Tips You'll Need to Master iOS 7

16 Best Things About iOS 7

The Cream of the Crop

With roughly 2 million college graduates expected for the 2013-2014 school year, there will be plenty of employees to go around. But with the shadows cast by the larger firms and corporations, it creates an uphill battle when trying to promote the great job opportunities in small business.

How can you compete with these business giants for the best employees?

First and foremost, you must stand out from your competitors in both your specific industry and the business industry as a whole. You can use these tips as a guide for attracting your desired graduates.

Job Boards. Using sites such as Indeed, Monster and even Craigslist. "These are one of the most effective ways to find fresh grads. To charm the right ones, write engaging ads. Think what specifically will excite these applicants most, and highlight that," explains Tom Gimbel.

Social Media. While many businesses are comfortably using various social media as a way to promote their products or services, it can be just as powerful of a tool when finding future employees. With a combination of sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn you can create a one stop shop for possible employees. With experience, hobbies, lifestyle and even personality highlighted it can be an easy way to pursue the best candidates for employment.

Initiate the Contact. Graduates are often intimidated with the prospect of meeting and interviewing with so many employers. But by initiating contact with alumni networks and college career centers, you can begin the process of meeting potential employees earlier in their careers as interns, volunteers, and mentees. These more informal meetings allow for the creation of bonds and for their potential assessment in a much more laid back environment.

Secondly, looking to fill an open position is a two-way street. Often employers are under the impression that after posting a job, they should sit back and wait to be impressed. But to attract the best employees, you should be trying equally as hard to promote yourself. Using these tips will give you an edge when selling your company to potential employees.

Size. Depending on the size of the company many new hires often sit levels below the decision makers. By highlighting their opportunity to connect directly with leadership teams and owners in small business, it can create a great selling point for your position.

Growth. While it is common to ask potential employees where they see themselves in five years, showcasing your desire for them to take on more responsibility and pursue promotions in the future, creates a common goal.

Rewards. Be realistic the best graduates will cost the most, and many small businesses don't have the budgets to compete with larger ones. This is where you can get creative. Offering products such as an iPad or cell phone depending on the business can often be enough to sway a potential employee.

What are your feelings towards this new generation of employees?

Sources and Related Articles:

Business Case for Hiring College Grads

All Dressed Up and No Place to Work

Small Business Tip: Increase Sales Without Spending a Lot of Money

Increasing your sales doesn't always have to mean spending money. Take a look at what is already working for you, and find ways to build on those successful elements. The Direct Selling Education Foundation, a BBB National Partner, recommends the follow ways to increase sales without increasing your spending:

Identify top customers and offer them more. You likely have loyal customers who spend more on a regular basis than others. Identify those people and offer them more than they already get. For example, start a VIP program where top customers receive special promotions, incentives, or exclusive access to new products and services. When your top customers know how much they are appreciated, they will not only embrace that “VIP” role by patronizing your business more often, but they will want to share their positive experience with their families and friends. Superior customer service can have far-reaching effects on your overall business.

Customize your sales pitch for each client. Each client is an individual and should be treated as such. Don’t go with a generic sales pitch that every single client hears. Do some research about each person, and incorporate something personal about him or her into your pitch, especially if it’s something you share (an interest in sports, a community activity). When you can relate to clients on a personal level, they will be assured that you have their best interests in mind.

Increase goals for referrals and sales will increase. Bump up your goals for getting referrals. It doesn’t have to be a large jump, but setting the bar higher will motivate you to work harder and acquire more. Instead of shooting for 5 a week, increase your goal to 7 or 8. Make the time in your schedule to meet this new goal, and you’ll find your sales increasing steadily over time. Each time you find that you are meeting the goal on a consistent basis, consider raising it again. Your business should never run in a straight line, but should always be heading in an upward direction to maintain growth and success.

Interact personally with customers more frequently. This may come easier in a retail business, but no matter what type of business you run, make the effort to interact with customers on a personal level as often as possible. Learn their names and one or two facts about them. People love going into a place where they feel like more than just a number. One customer of a local deli states that the moment she realized she would never take her business elsewhere was when the owner greeted her by name, asked how her daughters were, and offered her “the usual.” It’s a comforting feeling for a customer and will go a long way to acquiring loyalty and appreciation.

Find ways to improve upon what works for you, break out of your comfort zone, and always look to set the bar higher for yourself and your business.